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Domain: aerotechnews.com

Stories and comments across the archive that link to aerotechnews.com.

Comments · 7

  1. There have been much bigger. by Minna+Kirai · · Score: 1 · on North America's Largest LAN Party

    1,1000 attendees? That's nothing compared to 13,500 in the USA last year. And it lasted 3 weeks!

  2. Re:The Shuttle is the best replacement by Moofie · · Score: 1 · on New NASA Shuttle Program "Doomed To Failure"

    Lots of people. Only problem is, NASA is more interested in remaining a monopoly on heavy launch vehicles than in staying out of the way of innovation and technology development.

    Read more here.

  3. Tailless is a different aircraft by rsidd · · Score: 2 · on Boeing Bird of Prey Stealth Fighter

    I think you're talking about the tailless sonic cruiser (you can find it on Boeing's site too but it seems to be slashdotted right now).

  4. Re:Budget Black Hole by mcelrath · · Score: 1 · on NASA Task Force Recommends Radical Changes
    Beale Aerospace did try, the guy had ~0.5 Billion, and failed because all launch contracts are tied up with government subsidized entities.

    Governments most definitely are keeping the private sector out of space. Make no mistake about it.

    --Bob

  5. Re:Budget Black Hole by mcelrath · · Score: 2 · on NASA Task Force Recommends Radical Changes
    Not in the short term, no. But it's a step in the right direction. NASA needs to start looking for ways to simultaneously cut costs and generate revenue. Government agencies have a way of maximizing costs, while commercial entities minimize costs and maximize profits. And 100 rich guys at $20M a pop is 2 Billion. A significant dent, if you ask me.

    We need to force NASA to start operating like a commercial entity, then change some legislation to allow commercial competition by companies somewhat smaller than LockMart/Boeing. The model NASA has been using of single-noncompeting subcontractor (like the guys that operate the shuttle - United Space Alliance) does not tend to reduce costs since the contractor always asks for more money, and there's no competition for the job. Of course, the reason they use these subcontractors is that they can claim they are "privatizing" space, and it looks good on paper. But reality is that they still have a stranglehold on space.

    It costs $10,000 per pound to put stuff into orbit right now. As long as Space is held tightly by governments, it will stay that way, and you and I will never get there. Commercial competition and innovation is the only way to bring that cost down to somewhere a mere mortal could afford.

    You should see the legislation on this issue. There's reams and reams of it. Launch contracts are locked up by NASA, the military, and a handful of big guys (LockMart/Boeing). There's NO WAY for a newcomer to get contracts and make any money, due to the way the government has fixed the market. (Look at the promising Beal Aerospace for an example -- now bankrupt) Any newcomer has to go through reams and reams of red tape, and buy a congressman and an FAA representative to get launch permits.

    We have to accept that failure is an option and that we need commercial competition.

    Die NASA, Die.

    --Bob

  6. Are LEO sats really viable w/r/t latency? by JebOfTheForest · · Score: 1 · on 2.5G Services Start Trial Run In Seattle

    How far is LEO? How about using one of them Helios planes?

  7. Re:MilCom Re:This doesn't make sense. by drix · · Score: 2 · on Iridium Hardware May Burn

    Who said anything about the Army? There are four other branches of the "Armed Services," smart guy. Certainly you learned that one in basic. Anyways, you're still wrong, but I'd just like to point that out.

    Here they use them in Bosnia.
    Here they are used by the ARMY Corps of Engineers.
    Here's the CEO of Iridium saying "We have crystal clear communications. With the freedom to use the Iridium phones in helicopters and Army trucks, and area of total devastation and no electricity.
    Here is a story about the DoD reserving Iridium satellite time. Perhaps you would like to chew on the line "The Army, Navy and Air Force are testing ways to integrate the Iridium satellite network into their communications plans" for a while. It's in the first paragraph.
    Here's a conspicuously obvious one titled "Army to Use Iridium Pagers."

    It seems like with a little research (little meaning like, 20-30 seconds) would've shown you how wrong you really are. I suggest you do just that before posting next time.


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